2023 NATIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR Preserving Tradition in Contemporary Life

After a three-year hiatus, the 2023 National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF) returns as a major trade fair to be held from 4-8 October 2023 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The NACF, which was first launched in 2016, is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry–Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP), in collaboration with the DTI Regional and Provincial Offices, and supported by the Office of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.

"The 2023 National Arts and Crafts Fair underscores the integral role of arts and crafts in our national economy. This sector, often underestimated, serves as a vibrant source of income for many Filipino artisans and MSMEs, and contributes significantly to the country’s revenue streams through domestic sales as well as exports," BDTP Director Marievic Bonoan pointed out. 

 

With over 200 exhibitors curated from the country’s 16 regions, NACF will serve as a platform to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage and likewise gives everyone an opportunity to rediscover and appreciate Philippine craftsmanship. The products, meticulously crafted and features traditional indigenous materials, are expected to captivate a new urban consumer base in search of unique items with intrinsic beauty and value.

 

Artisans, craftsmen, and entrepreneurs from across the nation are gathered together at the fair to exhibit a rich display of traditional and indigenous materials made using contemporary methods. Visitors can anticipate textile and fiber art, mats and basketry, handcrafted jewelry, houseware and home decor, and novelty items. The fair will pay homage to the country’s diverse culture and further explore innovative methods of incorporating these skills into modern-day objects. 

 

NACF stage is set to reflect the heritage, creativity, and innovation exhibited by local artisans who have molded their skills from the essence of the country's cultural wealth. Moreover, NACF will provide a platform establish rapport with potential buyers, fostering an environment of growth and opportunity for native craft industries. This year’s National Arts and Crafts Fair is more than just a display of arts and crafts rather celebration of the age-old traditions brought to life in new, exciting ways.

 

“The National Arts and Crafts Fair is not merely an event; it is a movement that staunchly supports our local artisans, promotes our traditions, and contributes to the growth of our creative economy. The entrepreneurs exhibiting their products here exemplify our people’s resilience, ingenuity, and passion. I encourage everyone to join us in this celebration of tradition and innovation as we continue to empower indigenous skills and Filipino craftsmanship,” said Legarda, who conceptualized the fair and supported it since its inception in 2016. 

 

The formal opening ceremony of the 2023 National Arts and Crafts Fair will be on 4 October 2023. 

 

To know more about the 2023 National Arts and Crafts Fair and other programs of the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter 

2019 National Arts and Crafts Fair Receives Excellent Reviews

During the formal opening of the 2019 National Arts and Crafts Fair. (L-R): Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) deputy executive director Annray Rivera; HABI Philippine Textile Council founder and chairperson Maribel Ongpin; DTI-Trade Promotions Group undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman; DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion director Marievic Bonoan: and When in Manila chief operations officer and NACF event ambassador Sky Gavin.

Tagged as the “Philippine Artisans Show,” the 2019 National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF) was held from October 24 to 27 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The four-day event lived up to its objective to promote our rich cultural traditions and national heritage, while at the same time expanding the market presence of MSMEs engaged in the creative industries.

This celebration of authentic Filipino artistry and ingenuity showcasing the best collection of high-quality indigenous materials, heritage crafts, and artistic mastery attracted close to 30,000 visitors, and garnered excellent reviews with 94% expressing satisfaction. Preliminary reports peg total sales at PhP 33.6-million.

During the formal opening held last October 24, Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman of the Trade Promotions Group delivered the inspirational message. The keynote address of Deputy Speaker and Antique Congresswoman Loren Legarda was delivered by her representative Ms. Maribel Ongpin, Chairperson and Founder of HABI The Philippine Textile Council.

In addition to 269 exhibitors from all of the country’s 17 regions, there were special settings and pavilions by the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) featuring natural fibers and fabrics; the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) focusing on Philippine tropical fabrics; and the Philippine Forest Honey Network showcasing forest honey varieties from different parts of the country.

From the province of Antique, the thriving artisan communities and their traditional patadyong, hablon weaves, bariw handicrafts, and other specialties were highlighted with the participation of 27 exhibitors from all of the province’s 18 municipalities. A special section was also devoted to the Bangon Marawi initiative, with their brassware, gongs and bells, woodcraft and textile products. Selected beneficiaries of the DTI’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) program were also among the exhibitors.

The ubiquitous KAPEtirya offered choice local coffee blends from the regions, with a selection of native delicacies. There was also the usual leathercrafts workshop manned by the differently-abled workers of Handcrafted by Harl’s, while Baybayin experts rendered text in the traditional Tagalog script, and craft artists conducted brush calligraphy and mixed media art workshops.

Following the formal opening on Thursday, October 24, there was a daily program of activities focusing on business talks on Friday, October 25; arts and crafts activities on Saturday, October 26; and the performing arts on Sunday, October 27. A special focus of the daily program were the cultural presentations and live demonstrations of the arts, crafts, and practices that are being transmitted by cultural masters to the next generation through community managed learning programs of the Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The 2019 NACF was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP) headed by Director Marievic M. Bonoan in cooperation with the Regional Operations Group, with support from the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda.

For more information, contact numbers are (02) 7751-3223 and (02) 7791-3102, or email bdtp@dti.gov.ph. You may also follow DTI-BDTP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.